Implications
This report provides a summary of Dr. Alvin Rutledge’s
comprehensive work researching the practicality and feasibility
of hydroponic greens production in Tennessee. As described in
the report, the present demand for hydroponically grown greens
is less than desirable for those growers wanting to begin large
scale production. However, in other countries, New Zealand for
instance, demand for hydroponic lettuce increased dramatically
in a very short period of time
(10 years or less). Given present consumer concerns about health
issues and preferences for the inclusion of nutritious foods
in their diets, the development of appropriate domestic marketing,
promotion and education programs could enhance the domestic
demand. Hydroponic
lettuce production is technically feasible. Cornell University
has conducted considerable research on various production
methods and has created a comprehensive program that requires
significant capital investment and is labor and management
intensive. The two production systems of primary consideration
in this report would require much the same capital investment
as the Cornell system. However, while the systems in this
report offer theoretical promise, their large-scale success
is yet to be proven in Tennessee. All facets of production
and marketing of these two systems need additional research
and a proven performance record before they can be recommended
to prospective growers. In addition to the unproven nature
of the production techniques of the systems described here,
the marketing program to support this production is also unproven.
This report
helps evaluate the potential for hydroponic greens production
in Tennessee and explains that systems to support such production
are technically feasible. Market opportunities for hydroponic
greens do exist. The most common hydroponic production systems
currently do not appear to offer significant profit potential
for greens. However, a variety of new, theoretical but not
proven systems have emerged. The “A-Frame” is
one such system that offers lower production costs than the
more common systems but its production is not predictable.
Additional research on these new systems should include attempts
to increase per-house yields; evaluation of varying numbers
of growing days, panel height and vertical angle for maximum
light reception; watering systems; and phototropism and gravitropism.
Overall,
this report indicates the need for additional investment in
production and market development for hydroponic greens production.
Further research, documentation and acceptance or rejection
of the thoughts and concepts described here is needed. Marketing
and production possibilities are described and the need for
proven experiences for both is deemed appropriate by these
findings.
Forward
Statement
Problem/Opportunity
Proposal
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